Understanding How Radon Mitigation Works in Homes

Every home should be tested for radon, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas created by the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil around and under your home. It seeps into homes through crawl spaces, sump pumps, porous cement, and cracks in foundations. If not properly vented or mitigated, radon can build up to dangerous levels inside the home.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. (after smoking), killing over 20,000 people each year. The EPA recommends testing for radon, and if the level is over 4 pCi/L, it should be mitigated. If you smoke and have high levels of radon in your home, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon reduction techniques are very effective, with some systems able to reduce radon levels in the home by up to 99%. The best way to determine the correct type of mitigation system for your home is to have a professional radon mitigation specialist test your home for radon, assess the result, perform a visual inspection, and design a system that considers the specific features of the home.

The EPA generally recommends mitigation methods that prevent the entry of radon as opposed to reducing the radon levels after it has entered the house. In Illinois, the most common and most reliable method of radon mitigation is active subslab suction, or subslab depressurization. It involves inserting one or more suction pipes through the floor slab into the soil underneath and venting them outside the home. For homes with a crawlspace, a good method involves covering the dirt floor with a high-density plastic sheet and using a vent pipe and fan to draw the radon from under the sheet. The radon is then vented outdoors.

Homeowners can also seal cracks and other openings in the home’s foundation to help limit the flow of radon into the home.

For more information about radon mitigation techniques, please contact:

Illinois Valley Radon Mitigation, LLC

717 Bellevue Avenue

Ottawa, IL 61350

815-313-5892

www.illinoisvalleyradon.com

tami@illinoisvalleyradon.com